Joe was born December 30, 1938 in Clarkson, Nebraska to Joseph B. and Libbie ‘Nykodem’ Ondracek. He was raised in rural Schuyler and graduated from Schuyler High School in 1957. Upon graduating high school Joe continued his education at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln Ag Campus. After his schooling Joe served in the United States Army from 1960 to 1962 then returned to the Schuyler area and continued farming.

Joe married Millie Paasch on May 23, 1964 at Alma Lutheran Church in Mead. In 1968 the couple moved from Schuyler to Millie’s family farm in Saunders County where they farmed together until retiring and moving into Fremont in 1999. Joe was a member of the Saunders County Pork Producers, American Legion Post 20 in Fremont and Pohocco Lutheran Church south of Fremont.

The funeral will be Friday, 10:30am at Pohocco Lutheran Church south of Fremont. Burial will follow in the Pohocco Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to either Pohocco Lutheran Church or Pohocco Cemetery. Visitation at Ludvigsen Mortuary in Fremont will be Thursday from 3pm to 8pm with the family present from 6pm to 8pm. Visitation will continue for one hour before the service at the church.